Purple Heart recipient honored with new car

Wounded veteran Sebastian Gallegos fist-bumps with NASCAR legend Richard Petty after receiving a new car at the San Antonio Speedway. NASCAR driver Aric Almirola is at left.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos and his wife Tracie talk with guests after recieving a new car from NASCAR legend Richard Petty, driver Aric (cq) Almirola, and "Today" show host Al Roker as part of a tv production for a show named "Operation Inspiration" Sunday. The event took place at the San Antonio Speedway.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos and his wife Tracie are interviewed fter recieving a new car from NASCAR legend Richard Petty as part of a tv production for a show named "Operation Inspiration" Sunday. The event took place at the San Antonio Speedway.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Checkered flags that are painted on the surface of the San Antonio Raceway are reflected in the sunglasses of NASCAR legend Richard Petty during the filming of a production named Operation Inspiration Sunday at the south side track. Petty presented wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos with a new car during the event.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos and his wife Tracie talk with guests after recieving a new car from NASCAR legend Richard Petty, driver Aric (cq) Almirola, and "Today" show host Al Roker as part of a tv production for a show named "Operation Inspiration" Sunday. The event took place at the San Antonio Speedway.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos (left) laughs as NASCAR legend Richard Petty signs autographs after Gallegos was presented with a new car as part of a tv production for a show named "Operation Inspiration" Sunday. The event took place at the San Antonio Speedway.

Photo By Robin Jerstad/For the San Antonio Express-News

Wounded veteran, CPL Sebastian Gallegos (left) and NASCAR legend Richard Petty laugh after Gallegos was presented with a new car as part of a tv production for a show named "Operation Inspiration" Sunday. The event took place at the San Antonio Speedway.

A veteran who lost an arm while serving in Afghanistan was given a car Sunday to make life a little easier for him and his family.

Cpl. Sebastian Gallegos, a 23-year-old Purple Heart recipient, and his wife Tracie received the 2013 Ford Fusion from Eckrich, a meat company that is funding programs to aid veterans, at the San Antonio Speedway.

The couple live in Operation Homefront Village, and their old car needs repairs that they were finding it difficult to finance. The Fusion was specially modified for Sebastian Gallegos so he can drive it despite his disability.

Delivering the car were seven-time NASCAR champion Richard “The King” Petty and current NASCAR driver Aric Almirola. They gave the couple tickets to a NASCAR race in Fort Worth in November, and Sebastian Gallegos was made an honorary crew member and given a uniform.

“It was a lot of fun to do and be a part of such a great thing,” Almirola said. “They've been going through tough times.”

Al Roker , the “Today” show weatherman, was also on hand to congratulate the couple.

The Gallegos family will be included in a half-hour special about Operation Homefront to debut this summer. The special is part of the Eckrich-sponsored Operation Inspiration program.